The otter civet (Cynogale bennettii) is a semiaquatic civet native to
Thailand, Malaysia,
IndonesiaIndonesia and Brunei. It is listed as Endangered
because of a serious ongoing population decline, estimated to be more
than 50% over the past three generations (estimated to be 15 years),
inferred from direct habitat destruction, and indirect inferred
declines due to pollutants.[1]
Cynogale is a monospecific genus.[2]

The otter civet possesses several adaptations to its habitat,
including a broad mouth and webbed feet with naked soles and long
claws. Its muzzle is long with numerous long whiskers. It is in many
ways similar to the
Hose's palm civetHose's palm civet (Diplogale hosei) but has a
shorter tail and no whitish underparts.[citation needed]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
OtterOtter civets are distributed in Sumatra,
BorneoBorneo and peninsular
Thailand. Preferred habitat appears to be lowland primary forest, but
they have also been recorded in secondary forest, bamboo and logged
forest. The supposed origin of Lowe's otter civet (C. lowei) known
only from one holotype found in 1926 in northern
VietnamVietnam was not
confirmed.[3] They are thought to be largely confined to peat swamp
forests, though there are recent records from lowland dry forest.[4]
In March 2005, an otter civet was camera trapped within an acacia
plantation in central
SarawakSarawak during 1,632 trap-nights.[5] Between
July 2008 and January 2009, ten otter civets were photographed in an
area of about 112 km2 (43 sq mi) in Sabah's Deramakot
Forest Reserve, a lowland tropical rainforest in
BorneoBorneo ranging in
altitude from 60–250 m (200–820 ft).[6] In May 2009, the
presence of otter civets was documented for the first time in central
Kalimantan, where two individuals were photographed in the Sabangau
Peat-swamp Forest at an elevation of about 11 m (36 ft).[7]
Ecology and behaviour[edit]
The otter civet is a nocturnal species that obtains most of its food
from the water, feeding on fish, crabs and freshwater mollusks. It can
also climb to feed on birds and fruit. Given its rarity and secretive
nature it is a very poorly known species.[1]
Threats[edit]
Conversion of peat swamp forests to oil palm plantations is a major
threat. There is no evidence that the species is specifically hunted,
but as a ground-dwelling species it is exposed to snares and other
ground-level traps set for other species.[1] Clear-cut logging is one
of the major factors contributing to decline in suitable habitat, and
even selective logging may sufficiently alter habitat such that it is
the species can no longer occupy it; combined, this loss of primary
forest may be responsible for the current rarity of the otter
civet.[3]
Conservation[edit]
Cynogale bennettii is listed in
CITESCITES Appendix II.[1]
References[edit]